BILL NUMBER: SB 1208	CHAPTERED  09/02/99

	CHAPTER   312
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 2, 1999
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR   SEPTEMBER 1, 1999
	PASSED THE SENATE   AUGUST 19, 1999
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY   JULY 15, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 8, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 14, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 3, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Committee on Elections and Reapportionment (Senators
Murray (Chair), Lewis, Polanco, and Poochigian)

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to amend Section 48205 of the Education Code, to amend
Sections 9, 2150, 2187, 6042, 6160, 6180, 6341, 6342, 6521, 6522,
6723, 6724, 6951, 6953, 6954, 8150, 9105, 9203, 9204, 13107, and
13112 of, and to add Sections 7772.1, 9085, 9237.5, and 13300.5 to,
the Elections Code, and to amend Sections 1780 and 6254.4 of, and to
add Section 88002.5 to, the Government Code, relating to elections.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1208, Committee on Elections and Reapportionment.  Elections
procedures.
   (1) Existing law authorizes a pupil to be excused from school for
specified reasons and allowed to complete assignments and tests
missed as specified.
   This bill would also authorize a pupil to be excused for the
purpose of serving as a member of a precinct board for an election.
   (2) Existing law requires the Secretary of State to notify
candidates on the presidential primary ballot that they may withdraw
their name no later than the 64th day prior to the presidential
primary.  The Secretary of State is also required to perform various
other duties relating to notification of elections officials and
candidates at least 59 or 64 days before the presidential primary.
   This bill would instead authorize the withdrawal of a candidate's
name from a presidential primary ballot, and require that the
Secretary of State perform these duties, at least 68 days before a
presidential primary.
   (3) Existing law specifies the form of the certificate of the
Secretary of State showing candidates nominated or selected at the
primary election.
   This bill would require this certificate also to designate the
justices of the Supreme Court or the courts of appeal to appear on
the general election ballot, as specified.
   (4) Existing law requires that the name of each candidate for a
Peace and Freedom Party county central committee appear on the ballot
if the candidate has filed specified nomination papers or qualified
to have his or her name printed on the direct primary ballot as a
candidate for a partisan public office.
   This bill would provide that if an elections official finds that
the number of candidates nominated for a Peace and Freedom Party
central committee does not exceed the number to be elected, the names
of the candidates would not be printed on the ballot and the county
board of supervisors would be required to declare the nominees
elected.
   (5) Existing law provides a procedure for holding elections to
fill a vacancy on a governing board of a special district.
   This bill would revise these election procedures.
   (6) Existing provisions of the Elections Code and the Political
Reform Act of 1974 require the state ballot pamphlet to contain
specified information on each state ballot measure, including an
analysis by the Legislative Analyst.
   This bill would also require the state ballot pamphlet to contain
a summary statement prepared by the Legislative Analyst that provides
a concise summary of the general meaning and the effect of "yes" and
"no" votes for each state measure.
   (7) The bill would also make changes in elections procedures on
the counting of hyphenated words, specify the type size on county and
city initiative petitions, and make nonsubstantive changes in
provisions relating to election procedures.  By changing the duties
of local government officers and employees with respect to election
procedures, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
   (8) Existing law requires the Secretary of State, at specified
times in the election cycle, to conduct a drawing of letters of the
alphabet to produce a randomized alphabet for the purpose of
determining the order of candidates in all elections.
   This bill would omit references in this provision to a June
primary election.
   (9) Existing law requires each county elections official to
prepare separate sample ballots for members of each political party.

   This bill would allow the county elections official to prepare a
combined sample ballot in order to facilitate the timely production
and distribution of sample ballots.
   (10) The Political Reform Act of 1974, an initiative measure,
provides that the Legislature may amend the act to further the act's
purposes with a 2/3 vote of each house and compliance with specified
procedural requirements.
   This bill, which would declare that it furthers the purposes of
the act, would therefore require a 2/3 vote.
  (11) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement, including the creation of a State Mandates Claims Fund
to pay the costs of mandates that do not exceed $1,000,000 statewide
and other procedures for claims whose statewide costs exceed
$1,000,000.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 48205 of the Education Code is amended to read:

   48205.  (a) Notwithstanding Section 48200, a pupil shall be
excused from school when the absence is:
   (1) Due to his or her illness.
   (2) Due to quarantine under the direction of a county or city
health officer.
   (3) For the purpose of having medical, dental, optometrical, or
chiropractic services rendered.
   (4) For the purpose of attending the funeral services of a member
of his or her immediate family, so long as the absence is not more
than one day if the service is conducted in California and not more
than three days if the service is conducted outside California.
   (5) For the purpose of jury duty in the manner provided for by
law.
   (6) Due to the illness or medical appointment during school hours
of a child of whom the pupil is the custodial parent.
   (7) For justifiable personal reasons, including, but not limited
to, an appearance in court, attendance at a funeral service,
observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion,
attendance at religious retreats, or attendance at an employment
conference, when the pupil's absence has been requested in writing by
the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or a designated
representative pursuant to uniform standards established by the
governing board.
   (8) For the purpose of serving as a member of a precinct board for
an election pursuant to Section 12302 of the Elections Code.
   (b) A pupil absent from school under this section shall be allowed
to complete all assignments and tests missed during the absence that
can be reasonably provided and, upon satisfactory completion within
a reasonable period of time, shall be given full credit therefor.
The teacher of any class from which a pupil is absent shall determine
the tests and assignments shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not
necessarily identical to, the tests and assignments that the pupil
missed during the absence.
   (c) For purposes of this section, attendance at religious retreats
shall not exceed four hours per semester.
   (d) Absences pursuant to this section are deemed to be absences in
computing  average daily attendance and shall not generate state
apportionment payments.
   (e) "Immediate family," as used in this section, has the same
meaning as that set forth in Section 45194, except that references
therein to "employee" shall be deemed to be references to "pupil."
  SEC. 2.  Section 9 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   9.  (a) Counting of words, for purposes of this code, shall be as
follows:
   (1) Punctuation is not counted.
   (2) Each word shall be counted as one word except as specified in
this section.
   (3) All geographical names shall be considered as one word; for
example, "City and County of San Francisco" shall be counted as one
word.
   (4) Each abbreviation for a word, phrase, or expression shall be
counted as one word.
   (5) Hyphenated words that appear in any generally available
standard reference dictionary, published in the United States at any
time within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election
for which the words are counted, shall be considered as one word.
Each part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a
separate word.
   (6) Dates consisting of a combination of words and digits shall be
counted as two words.  Dates consisting only of a combination of
digits shall be counted as one word.
   (7) Any number consisting of a digit or digits shall be considered
as one word.  Any number which is spelled, such as "one," shall be
considered as a separate word or words.  "One" shall be counted as
one word whereas "one hundred" shall be counted as two words.  "100"
shall be counted as one word.
   (8) Telephone numbers shall be counted as one word.
   (9) Internet web site addresses shall be counted as one word.
   (b) This section shall not apply to counting words for ballot
designations under Section 13107.
  SEC. 3.  Section 2150 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   2150.  (a) The affidavit of registration shall show:
   (1) The facts necessary to establish the affiant as an elector.
   (2) The affiant's name at length, including his or her given name,
and a middle name or initial, or if the initial of the given name is
customarily used, then the initial and middle name.  The affiant's
given name may be preceded, at affiant's option, by the designation
of Miss, Ms., Mrs., or Mr.  No person shall be denied the right to
register because of his or her failure to mark a prefix to the given
name and shall be so advised on the voter registration card.  This
subdivision shall not be construed as requiring the printing of
prefixes on an affidavit of registration.
   (3) The affiant's place of residence, and residence telephone
number, if furnished.  No person shall be denied the right to
register because of his or her failure to furnish a telephone number,
and shall be so advised on the voter registration card.
   (4) The affiant's mailing address, if different from the place of
residence.
   (5) The affiant's date of birth to establish that he or she will
be at least 18 years of age on or before the date of the next
election.
   (6) The state or country of the affiant's birth.
   (7) The affiant's California driver's license number, California
identification card number, or other identification number as
specified by the Secretary of State.  No person shall be denied the
right to register because of his or her failure to furnish one of
these numbers, and shall be so advised on the voter registration
card.
   (8) The affiant's political party affiliation.
   (9) That the affiant is currently not imprisoned or on parole for
the conviction of a felony.
   (10) A prior registration portion indicating whether the affiant
has been registered at another address, under another name, or as
intending to affiliate with another party.  If the affiant has been
so registered, he or she shall give an additional statement giving
that address, name, or party.
   (b) The affiant shall certify the content of the affidavit as to
its truth and correctness, under penalty of perjury, with the
signature of his or her name and the date of signing.  If the affiant
is unable to write he or she shall sign with a mark or cross.
   (c) If any person, including a deputy registrar, assists the
affiant in completing the affidavit, that person shall sign and date
the affidavit below the signature of the affiant.
  SEC. 4.  Section 2187 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   2187.  (a) Each county elections official shall send to the
Secretary of State, in a format described by the Secretary of State,
a summary statement of the number of voters in the county.  The
statement shall show the total number of voters in the county, the
number registered as affiliated with each qualified political party,
the number registered in nonqualified parties, and the number who
declined to state any party affiliation.  The statement shall also
show the number of voters, by political affiliations, in each city,
supervisorial district, Assembly district, Senate district, and
congressional district, located in whole or in part within the
county.
   (b) The Secretary of State, on the basis of the statements sent by
the county elections officials and within 30 days after receiving
those statements, shall compile a statewide list showing the number
of voters, by party affiliations, in the state and in each county,
city, supervisorial district, Assembly district, Senate district, and
congressional district, in the state.  A copy of this list shall be
made available, upon request, to any elector in this state.
   (c) Each county that uses data processing equipment to store the
information set forth in the affidavit of registration shall send to
the Secretary of State one copy of the magnetic tape file with the
information requested by the Secretary of State.  Each county that
does not use data processing storage shall send to the Secretary of
State one copy of the index setting forth that information.
   (d) The summary statements and the magnetic tape file copy or the
index shall be sent at the following times:
   (1) On the 135th day before each presidential primary and before
each direct primary, with respect to voters registered on the 154th
day before the primary election.
   (2) Not less than 50 days prior to the primary election, with
respect to voters registered on the 60th day before the primary
election.
   (3) Not less than 10 days prior to the primary election, with
respect to voters registered before the 28th day prior to the primary
election.
   (4) Not less than 50 days prior to the general election, with
respect to voters registered on the 60th day before the general
election.
   (5) Not less than 10 days prior to the general election, with
respect to voters registered before the 28th day prior to the general
election.
   (6) On or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year, with respect
to voters registered as of February 10.
   (7) On or before October 1 of each odd-numbered year, with respect
to voters registered as of September 12.
   (e) The Secretary of State may adopt regulations prescribing the
content and format of the magnetic tape file or index referred to in
subdivision (c) and containing the registered voter information from
the affidavits of registration.
   (f) The Secretary of State may adopt regulations prescribing
additional regular reporting times, except that the total number of
reporting times in any one calendar year shall not exceed 12.
   (g) The Secretary of State shall make the information from the
magnetic tape files or the printed indexes available, under
conditions prescribed by the Secretary of State, to any candidate for
federal, state, or local office, to any committee for or against any
proposed ballot measure, to any committee for or against any
initiative or referendum measure for which legal publication is made,
and to any person for election, scholarly or political research, or
governmental purposes as determined by the Secretary of State.
  SEC. 5.  Section 6042 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6042.  When the Secretary of State decides to place the name of a
candidate on the ballot pursuant to Section 6041, he or she shall
notify the candidate that the candidate's name will appear on the
ballot of this state in the presidential primary election.
   The secretary shall also notify the candidate that the candidate
may withdraw his or her name from the list of recognized candidates
by filing with the Secretary of State an affidavit pursuant to
Section 6043 no later than the 68th day before the presidential
primary election.
  SEC. 6.  Section 6160 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6160.  At least 68 days before a presidential primary, the
Secretary of State shall notify each steering committee whether or
not it has qualified a candidate or uncommitted delegation for
placement on the ballot pursuant to Section 6060.
  SEC. 7.  Section 6180 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6180.  At least 68 days before a presidential primary election,
the Secretary of State shall transmit to each county elections
official a certified list containing the name of each candidate who
is entitled to be voted for on the ballot at the presidential
primary, and the name of each chairperson of a steering committee of
an uncommitted delegation who is to be voted for on the same ballot.

   If no uncommitted delegation has qualified pursuant to Article 4
(commencing with Section 6060), the Secretary of State shall inform
the county elections officials to provide for an uncommitted delegate
space on the ballot.
   The certified list shall be in substantially the following form:



           Certified List of Presidential Candidates and Uncommitted
                              Delegations

         To the County Elections Official of __________ County:
             I, ________, Secretary of State, do hereby certify that
the
         following list contains the name of each person who is
entitled
         to be voted for as a candidate of the Democratic Party
         at the presidential primary election to be held on the _____

         day of  March, 20__, and the name of each chairperson of a
         steering committee of an uncommitted delegation which is
         entitled to be voted for on the ballot.

            List of Presidential Candidates and Uncommitted
Delegations

        Linda Adams
        Joseph Black
        John Reardon
        Unpledged delegation
          Paul Minor,
          Chairperson
            Dated at Sacramento, California, this __________ day
        of _________, 20__.
                                    ____________________________
               (SEAL)                    Secretary of State

  SEC. 8.  Section 6341 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6341.  When the Secretary of State decides to place the name of a
candidate on the ballot pursuant to Section 6340, he or she shall
notify the candidate that his or her name will appear on the ballot
of this state in the presidential primary election.
   The secretary shall also notify the candidate that he or she may
withdraw his or her name from the ballot by filing with the Secretary
of State an affidavit pursuant to Section 6342 no later than the
68th day before that election.
  SEC. 9.  Section 6342 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6342.  If a selected candidate or a nonselected candidate files
with the Secretary of State, no later than the 68th day before the
presidential primary, an affidavit stating without qualification that
he or she is not now a candidate for the office of President of the
United States at the forthcoming presidential primary election, his
or her name shall be omitted from the list of names certified by the
Secretary of State to the county elections officials for the ballot
and his or her name shall not appear on the presidential primary
ballot.
  SEC. 10.  Section 6521 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6521.  When the Secretary of State decides to place the name of a
candidate on the ballot pursuant to Section 6520, he or she shall
notify the candidate that his or her name will appear on the ballot
of this state in the presidential primary.
   The Secretary of State shall also notify the candidate that he or
she may withdraw his or her name from the ballot by filing with the
Secretary of State an affidavit pursuant to Section 6522, no later
than the 68th day before that election.
  SEC. 11.  Section 6522 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6522.  If a selected candidate or an unselected candidate files
with the Secretary of State, no later than the 68th day before the
presidential primary, an affidavit stating without qualification that
he or she is not now a candidate for the office of President of the
United States at the forthcoming presidential primary election, his
or her name shall be omitted from the list of names certified by the
Secretary of State to the county elections officials for the ballot
and his or her name shall not appear on the presidential preference
portion of the primary ballot.
  SEC. 12.  Section 6723 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6723.  When the Secretary of State decides to place the name of a
candidate on the ballot pursuant to Sections 6720 and 6722, the
Secretary of State shall notify the candidate that her or his name
will appear on the Peace and Freedom Party presidential preference
primary ballot of this state, but that a committee must be formed,
delegates certified, and a petition filed pursuant to this chapter in
order to have her or his name appear on the delegate selection
portion of the presidential primary ballot.
   The Secretary of State shall also notify the candidate that she or
he may withdraw her or his name from the ballot by filing with the
Secretary of State an affidavit pursuant to Section 6724, no later
than the 68th day before that election.
  SEC. 13.  Section 6724 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6724.  If a selected candidate or an unselected candidate files
with the Secretary of State, no later than the 68th day before the
presidential primary, an affidavit stating without qualification that
she or he is not a candidate for the office of President of the
United States at the forthcoming presidential primary election, the
name of that candidate shall be omitted from the list of names
certified by the Secretary of State to the elections official for the
ballot and the name of that candidate shall not appear on the
presidential preference portion of the primary ballot.
  SEC. 14.  Section 6951 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6951.  At least 68 days before the presidential primary, the
Secretary of State shall transmit to each elections official a
certified list containing the names of the candidates to appear on
the Peace and Freedom Party presidential preference primary ballot
and the names and addresses of the candidates for delegates for whom
nomination papers have been filed and who are entitled to be voted
for at the presidential primary.
  SEC. 15.  Section 6953 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6953.  At least 68 days before a presidential primary, the
Secretary of State shall transmit to each elections official a
certified list containing the names and addresses of the candidates
for delegates for whom nomination papers have been filed and who are
entitled to be voted for at the presidential primary.
   The certified list shall be in substantially the following form:
      CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR DELEGATE
SECRETARY OF STATE


To the Elections Official of ____ County:
   I, ____, Secretary of State, do hereby certify that the following
list contains the name and post office address of each person for
whom nomination papers have been filed in my office and who is
entitled to be voted for at the presidential primary to be held on
the ____ day of ____, 20__, as delegate to the next national
convention of the American Independent Party; I further certify that
in the list, under the name of the person for whom a preference as
nominee of the American Independent Party for President has been
expressed, or under the name of the chairman of a group not
expressing a preference, there is stated the name of each candidate
for delegate who has filed a statement pursuant to Section 6567, and
who may be voted for as one of a group.


                            LIST OF CANDIDATES
                        American Independent Party

__________________________________________________________________
         Candidates            Candidates            No preference
         preferring            preferring         (Name of chairman)
      ________________      ________________      __________________

__________________________________________________________________
        Name  Address         Name  Address          Name  Address
        Top of group          Top of group           Top of group
    1.   ________________   1.   ________________   1.
__________________
    2.   ________________   2.   ________________   2.
__________________
    3.   ________________   3.   ________________   3.
__________________
    etc.                    etc.                    etc.
       Dated at Sacramento, California, this ____ day of ______,
20__.

_________________________________
       (SEAL)                                    Secretary of State

  SEC. 16.  Section 6954 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   6954.  At least 68 days before a presidential primary, the
Secretary of State shall transmit to each county elections official a
certified list containing the names and addresses of the candidates
for whom nomination papers have been filed and who are entitled to be
voted for at the presidential primary.
   The certified list shall be in substantially the following form:
      CERTIFIED LIST OF CANDIDATES SECRETARY OF STATE
    To the County Elections Official of ____ County:

   I, ____, Secretary of State, do hereby certify that the following
list contains the name and post office address of each person for
whom nomination papers have been filed in my office and who is
entitled to be voted for at the presidential primary to be held on
the ____ day of ____, 20__, as nominee of the Republican Party.


                               List of Candidates
                                Republican Party
                        Name                      Address
            1 _________________________  _________________________
            2 _________________________  _________________________
            3 _________________________  _________________________
            etc.                           etc.
               Dated at Sacramento, California, this _________ day
            of ___________, 20__.
                                         _________________________
               (SEAL)                         Secretary of State

  SEC. 17.  Section 7772.1 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   7772.1.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the
elections official, on the 73rd day prior to the direct primary
election, finds that the number of candidates nominated for election
to a central committee from any election jurisdiction does not exceed
the number to be elected from that jurisdiction, the designation of
the office and the names of the candidates shall not be printed on
this party's ballot in that jurisdiction, unless there is filed with
the elections official, not later than 20 days after the final date
for filing nomination papers for the positions, a petition signed by
25 registered voters affiliated with the Peace and Freedom Party
indicating that a write-in campaign will be conducted for the office.
  In lieu thereof, the board of supervisors shall declare elected the
candidates who have been nominated, and those candidates shall be
entitled to receive certificates of election in the same manner as
other candidates elected to a central committee.
  SEC. 18.  Section 8150 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   8150.  The certificate of the Secretary of State showing
candidates nominated or selected at a primary election, and justices
of the Supreme Court and courts of appeal to appear on the general
elections ballot, shall be substantially in the following form:
      CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY OF STATE SHOWING
CANDIDATES NOMINATED OR SELECTED
AT PRIMARY ELECTION
SECRETARY OF STATE

    To the County Elections Official of ____ County:
   I, ____, Secretary of State, do hereby certify that below are
stated the names of those persons entitled to receive votes within
your county at the general election who have (1) received partisan
nominations or have been selected as candidates for office at the
primary election or (2) in the case of justices of the Supreme Court
or the courts of appeal, are the justices who are subject to
confirmation by the voters at the general election.  These
nominations and selections are evidenced by the compilation and
statement required to be made by me and filed in my office.  Set
forth along with their respective names, other than the names of
justices of the Supreme Court or the courts of appeal, there is shown
the candidate's designation of his or her office, profession,
vocation or occupation, and there is also shown separately and
respectively for each nominee the name of the political party or
organization, if any, that has nominated him or her and the
designation of the public office for which he or she is so nominated.



                       STATE (AND DISTRICT) OFFICES

                       (Candidate's
                        designation
                        of office,
       (Name of         occupation,
      candidate)           etc.)          (Party)         (Office)
    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
                            _________ District


                           CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES

    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
                            ________ District


                            LEGISLATIVE OFFICES

    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
    ______________    _____________    _____________
______________
                            ________ District


                   SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION

    ___________________    ____________________
___________________
    ___________________    ____________________
___________________
    ___________________    ____________________
___________________

   I also certify that at the state conventions that met, according
to law, at the State Capitol on the ____ day of ____, 20__, the
following persons were nominated as electors of President and Vice
President of the United States, for the parties respectively
hereinafter placed at the head of the column containing their
respective names, and you are hereby directed to print the names of
the candidates for President and Vice President for whom those
electors have pledged themselves to vote, upon the official ballots
to be used at the general election, as representing the candidates of
their respective parties for that office.


                            PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS

    ___________________________ Party    _______________________
Party
    _______________________ President    ___________________
President
    __________________ Vice President    ______________ Vice
President

    1 _______________________________    1
___________________________
    2 _______________________________    2
___________________________
    3 _______________________________    3
___________________________
                   etc.                                 etc.

      Dated at Sacramento, California, this ______ day of _____,
20__.


__________________________________________
      (SEAL)                            Secretary of State

  SEC. 19.  Section 9085 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   9085.  (a) The ballot pamphlet shall also contain a section,
located near the front of the pamphlet, that provides a concise
summary of the general meaning and effect of "yes" and "no" votes on
each state measure.
   (b) The summary statements required by this section shall be
prepared by the Legislative Analyst.  These statements are not
intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure.  The
Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the
contents of these statements.  The statements shall be available for
public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 9092.
  SEC. 20.  Section 9105 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   9105.  (a) The county elections official shall immediately
transmit a copy of any proposed measure to the county counsel.
Within 15 days after the proposed measure is filed, the county
counsel shall provide and return to the county elections official a
ballot title and summary for the proposed measure.  The ballot title
may differ from any other title of the proposed measure and shall
express in 500 words or less the purpose of the proposed measure.  In
providing the ballot title, the county counsel shall give a true and
impartial statement of the purpose of the proposed measure in such
language that the ballot title shall neither be an argument, nor be
likely to create prejudice, for or against the proposed measure.
   (b) The county elections official shall furnish a copy of the
ballot title and summary to the proponents of the proposed measure.
The proponents shall, prior to the circulation of the petition,
publish the Notice of Intention, and the ballot title and summary of
the proposed measure in a newspaper of general circulation published
in that county, and file proof of publication with the county
elections official.
   (c) The ballot title and summary prepared by the county counsel
shall appear upon each section of the petition, above the text of the
proposed measure and across the top of each page of the petition on
which signatures are to appear, in roman boldface type not smaller
than 12 point.  The ballot title and summary shall be clearly
separated from the text of the measure.  The text of the measure
shall be printed in type not smaller than 8 point.
   The heading of the proposed measure shall be in substantially the
following form:
      Initiative Measure to be Submitted Directly to the Voters

   The county counsel has prepared the following title and summary of
the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure:
   (Here set forth the title and summary prepared by the county
counsel.  This title and summary must also be printed across the top
of each page of the petition whereon signatures are to appear.)

  SEC. 21.  Section 9203 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   9203.  (a) Any person who is interested in any proposed measure
shall file a copy of the proposed measure with the elections official
with a request that a ballot title and summary be prepared.  This
request shall be accompanied by the address of the person proposing
the measure.  The elections official shall immediately transmit a
copy of the proposed measure to the city attorney.  Within 15 days
after the proposed measure is filed, the city attorney shall provide
and return to the city elections official a ballot title for and
summary of the proposed measure.  The ballot title may differ from
any other title of the proposed measure and shall express in 500
words or less the purpose of the proposed measure.  In providing the
ballot title, the city attorney shall give a true and impartial
statement of the purpose of the proposed measure in such language
that the ballot title shall neither be an argument, nor be likely to
create prejudice, for or against the proposed measure.
   (b) The elections official shall furnish a copy of the ballot
title and summary to the person filing the proposed measure.  The
person proposing the measure shall, prior to its circulation, place
upon each section of the petition, above the text of the proposed
measure and across the top of each page of the petition on which
signatures are to appear, in roman boldface type not smaller than 12
point, the ballot title prepared by the city attorney.  The text of
the measure shall be printed in type not smaller than 8 point.
   The heading of the proposed measure shall be in substantially the
following form:
      Initiative Measure to be Submitted Directly to the Voters

   The city attorney has prepared the following title and summary of
the chief purpose and points of the proposed measure:
   (Here set forth the title and summary prepared by the city
attorney.  This title and summary must also be printed across the top
of each page of the petition whereon signatures are to appear.)
  SEC. 22.  Section 9204 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   9204.  The proponent may seek a writ of mandate requiring the
ballot title or summary prepared by the city attorney to be amended.
The court shall expedite hearing on the writ.  A peremptory writ of
mandate shall be issued only upon clear and convincing proof that the
ballot title or summary is false, misleading, or inconsistent with
the requirements of Section 9203.
  SEC. 23.  Section 9237.5 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   9237.5.  The provisions of this code relating to the form of
petitions, the duties of the county elections official, and the
manner of holding elections shall govern the petition procedure and
submission of the ordinance to the voters.
  SEC. 24.  Section 13107 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   13107.  (a) With the exception of candidates for Justice of the
State Supreme Court or court of appeal, immediately under the name of
each candidate, and not separated from the name by any line, may
appear at the option of the candidate only one of the following
designations:
   (1) Words designating the elective city, county, district, state,
or federal office which the candidate holds at the time of filing the
nomination documents to which he or she was elected by vote of the
people, or to which he or she was appointed, in the case of a
superior or municipal court judge.
   (2) The word "incumbent" if the candidate is a candidate for the
same office which he or she holds at the time of filing the
nomination papers, and was elected to that office by a vote of the
people, or, in the case of a superior or municipal court judge, was
appointed to that office.
   (3) No more than three words designating either the current
principal professions, vocations, or occupations of the candidate, or
the principal professions, vocations, or occupations of the
candidate during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing
of nomination documents.  For purposes of this section, all
California geographical names shall be considered to be one word.
Hyphenated words that appear in any generally available standard
reference dictionary, published in the United States at any time
within the 10 calendar years immediately preceding the election for
which the words are counted, shall be considered as one word.  Each
part of all other hyphenated words shall be counted as a separate
word.
   (4) The phrase "appointed incumbent" if the candidate holds an
office other than a judicial office by virtue of appointment, and the
candidate is a candidate for election to the same office, or, if the
candidate is a candidate for election to the same office or to some
other office, the word "appointed" and the title of the office.  In
either instance, the candidate may not use the unmodified word
"incumbent" or any words designating the office unmodified by the
word "appointed."  However, the phrase "appointed incumbent" shall
not be required of a candidate who seeks reelection to an office
which he or she holds and to which he or she was appointed, as a
nominated candidate, in lieu of an election, pursuant to Sections
5326 and 5328 of the Education Code or Section 7228, 7423, 7673,
10229, or 10515 of this code.
   (b) Neither the Secretary of State nor any other election official
shall accept a designation of which any of the following would be
true:
   (1) It would mislead the voter.
   (2) It would suggest an evaluation of a candidate, such as
outstanding, leading, expert, virtuous, or eminent.
   (3) It abbreviates the word "retired" or places it following any
word or words which it modifies.
   (4) It uses a word or prefix, such as "former" or "ex-," which
means a prior status.  The only exception is the use of the word
"retired."
   (5) It uses the name of any political party, whether or not it has
qualified for the ballot.
   (6) It uses a word or words referring to a racial, religious, or
ethnic group.
   (7) It refers to any activity prohibited by law.
   (c) If, upon checking the nomination documents, the election
official finds the designation to be in violation of any of the
restrictions set forth in this section, the election official shall
notify the candidate by registered or certified mail return receipt
requested, addressed to the mailing address appearing on the
candidate's nomination documents.
   (1) The candidate shall, within three days from the date of
receipt of the notice, appear before the election officer or, in the
case of the Secretary of State, notify the Secretary of State by
telephone, and provide an alternate designation.
   (2) In the event the candidate fails to provide an alternate
designation, no designation shall appear after the candidate's name.

   (d) No designation given by a candidate shall be changed by the
candidate after the final date for filing nomination documents,
except as specifically requested by the elections official as
specified in subdivision (c) or as provided in subdivision (e).
   (e) The designation shall remain the same for all purposes of both
primary and general elections, unless the candidate, at least 98
days prior to the general election, requests in writing a different
designation which the candidate is entitled to use at the time of the
request.
   (f) In all cases, words so used shall be printed in 8-point roman
uppercase and lowercase type except that, if the designation selected
is so long that it would conflict with the space requirements of
Sections 13207 and 13211, the elections official shall use a type
size for the designation for each candidate for that office
sufficiently smaller to meet these requirements.
   (g) Whenever a foreign language translation of a candidate's
designation is required under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C.A. Sec. 1971), as amended, to appear on the ballot in addition
to the English language version, it shall be as short as possible, as
consistent as is practicable with this section, and shall employ
abbreviations and initials wherever possible in order to avoid undue
length.
  SEC. 25.  Section 13112 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   13112.  The Secretary of State shall conduct a drawing of the
letters of the alphabet, the result of which shall be known as a
randomized alphabet.  The procedure shall be as follows:
   (a) Each letter of the alphabet shall be written on a separate
slip of paper, each of which shall be folded and inserted into a
capsule.  Each capsule shall be opaque and of uniform weight, color,
size, shape, and texture.  The capsules shall be placed in a
container, which shall be shaken vigorously in order to mix the
capsules thoroughly.  The container then shall be opened and the
capsules removed at random one at a time.  As each is removed, it
shall be opened and the letter on the slip of paper read aloud and
written down.  The resulting random order of letters constitutes the
randomized alphabet, which is to be used in the same manner as the
conventional alphabet in determining the order of all candidates in
all elections.  For example, if two candidates with the surnames
Campbell and Carlson are running for the same office, their order on
the ballot will depend on the order in which the letters M and R were
drawn in the randomized alphabet drawing.
   (b) (1) There shall be four drawings, three in each even-numbered
year and one in each odd-numbered year.  Each drawing shall be held
at 11 a.m. on the date specified in this subdivision.  The results of
each drawing shall be mailed immediately to each county elections
official responsible for conducting an election to which the drawing
is applicable, who shall use it in determining the order on the
ballot of the names of the candidates for office.
   (A) The first drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the April general law city elections, and shall
apply to those elections and any other elections held at the same
time.
   (B) The second drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the direct primary of an even-numbered year, and
shall apply to all candidates on the ballot in that election.
   (C) (i) The third drawing under this subdivision shall take place
on the 82nd day before the November general election of an
even-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates on the ballot
in the November general election.
   (ii) In the case of the primary election and the November general
election, the Secretary of State shall certify and transmit to each
county elections official the order in which the names of federal and
state candidates, with the exception of candidates for State Senate
and Assembly, shall appear on the ballot.  The elections official
shall determine the order on the ballot of all other candidates using
the appropriate randomized alphabet for that purpose.
   (D) The fourth drawing under this subdivision shall take place on
the 82nd day before the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of the odd-numbered year, and shall apply to all candidates
on the ballot in the elections held on that date.
   (2) In the event there is to be an election of candidates to a
special district, school district, charter city, or other local
government body at the same time as one of the four major election
dates specified in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, and the last
possible day to file nomination papers for the local election would
occur after the date of the drawing for the major election date, the
procedure set forth in Section 13113 shall apply.
   (c) Each randomized alphabet drawing shall be open to the public.
At least 10 days prior to a drawing, the Secretary of State shall
notify the news media and other interested parties of the date, time,
and place of the drawing.  The president of each statewide
association of local officials with responsibilities for conducting
elections shall be invited by the Secretary of State to attend each
drawing or send a representative.  The state chairman of each
qualified political party shall be invited to attend or send a
representative in the case of drawings held to determine the order of
candidates on the primary election ballot, the November general
election ballot, or a special election ballot as provided for in
subdivision (d).
   (d) In the case of any special election for State Assembly, State
Senate, or Representative in Congress, on the first weekday after the
close of filing of nomination papers for the office, the Secretary
of State shall conduct a public drawing to produce a randomized
alphabet in the same manner as provided for in subdivisions (a) and
(c).  The resulting randomized alphabet shall be used for determining
the order on the ballot of the candidates in both the primary
election for the special election and in the special election.
  SEC. 26.  Section 13300.5 is added to the Elections Code, to read:

   13300.5.  In order to facilitate the timely production and
distribution of sample ballots, the county elections official may
prepare a combined sample ballot.
  SEC. 27.  Section 1780 of the Government Code is amended to read:
   1780.  (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vacancy
in any elective office on the governing board of a special district,
other than those specified in Section 1781, shall be filled as
provided in this section.  The district shall notify the county
elections official of the vacancy no later than 15 days following
either the date on which the district board is notified of the
vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later.
The remaining district board members may fill the vacancy by
appointment.  The person appointed shall hold office until the next
general district election that is scheduled 130 or more days after
the date the district board is notified of the vacancy, and
thereafter until the person elected at that election to fill the
vacancy has been qualified.  The person elected to fill the vacancy
shall fill the balance of the unexpired term.  If the term of office
is due to expire following the next general district election and
that election is scheduled 130 or more days after the date the county
elections official is notified of the vacancy, the person appointed
to the vacancy shall fill the balance of the unexpired term of his or
her predecessor.  Appointments pursuant to this subdivision shall be
made within a period of 60 days immediately subsequent to either the
date on which the district board is notified of the vacancy or the
effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later, and a notice of
the vacancy shall be posted in three or more conspicuous places in
the district at least 15 days before the appointment is made.  The
county elections official shall be notified of the appointment no
later than 15 days after the appointment.  In lieu of making an
appointment the remaining members of the board may within 60 days of
the date the district board is notified of the vacancy or the
effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later, call an election
to fill the vacancy.  The election shall be held on the next
established election date provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with
Section 1000) of Division 1 of the Elections Code that is 130 or more
days after the date the district board calls the election.
   (b) If the vacancy is not filled by the district board as
specified, or if the board has not called for an election within 60
days of the date the district board is notified of the vacancy or the
effective date of the vacancy, whichever is later, the city council
of the city in which the district is wholly located, or if the
district is not wholly located within a city, the board of
supervisors of the county representing the larger portion of the
district area in which the election to fill the vacancy will be held,
may fill the vacancy within 90 days of the date the district board
is notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy,
whichever is later, or the city council or county supervisors may
order the district to call an election to fill the vacancy.  The
election shall be held on the next established election date provided
in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1000) of Division 1 of the
Elections Code that is 130 or more days after the date the city
council or board of supervisors calls the election.
   (c) (1) If within 90 days of the date the district board is
notified of the vacancy or the effective date of the vacancy,
whichever is later, the remaining members of the board or the
appropriate board of supervisors or city council have not filled the
vacancy and no election has been called for, the district shall call
an election to fill the vacancy.  The election shall be held on the
next established election date provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with
Section 1000) of Division 1 of the Elections Code that is 130 or
more days after the date the district board calls the election.
   (2) If the number of remaining members of the board falls below a
quorum, at the request of the district secretary, or a remaining
board member, the board of supervisors or the city council may waive
the 60-day period provided in subdivision (a) and appoint immediately
to fill the vacancy as provided in subdivision (a), or may call an
election to fill the vacancy.  The election shall be held on the next
established election date provided in Chapter 1 (commencing with
Section 1000) of Division 1 of the Elections Code that is held 130 or
more days after the date the city council or board of supervisors
calls the election.
   The board of supervisors or the city council shall only fill
enough vacancies to provide the board with a quorum.
   (d) Persons appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold office until
the next general district election that is scheduled 130 or more days
after the date the county elections official is notified of the
vacancy and thereafter until the person elected at that election to
fill the vacancy has been qualified, but persons elected to fill a
vacancy shall hold office for the unexpired balance of the term of
office.
  SEC. 28.  Section 6254.4 of the Government Code is amended to read:

   6254.4.  (a) The home address, telephone number, precinct number,
or other number specified by the Secretary of State for voter
registration purposes, and prior registration information shown on
the voter registration card for all registered voters is
confidential, and shall not be disclosed to any person, except
pursuant to Section 2194 of the Elections Code.
   (b) For purposes of this section, "home address" means street
address only, and does not include an individual's city or post
office address.
   (c) The California driver's license number or California
identification card number shown on a voter registration card of a
registered voter is confidential and shall not be disclosed to any
person.
  SEC. 29.  Section 88002.5 is added to the Government Code, to read:

   88002.5.  (a) The ballot pamphlet shall also contain a section,
located near the front of the pamphlet, that provides a concise
summary of the general meaning and effect of "yes" and "no" votes on
each state measure.
   (b) The summary statements required by this section shall be
prepared by the Legislative Analyst.  These statements are not
intended to provide comprehensive information on each measure.  The
Legislative Analyst shall be solely responsible for determining the
contents of these statements.  The statements shall be available for
public examination and amendment pursuant to Section 88006.
  SEC. 30.  The Legislature finds and declares that the provisions of
Section 29 of this bill further the purposes of the Political Reform
Act of 1974 within the meaning of subdivision (a) of Section 81012
of the Government Code.
  SEC. 31.  Notwithstanding Section 17610 of the Government Code, if
the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains
costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and
school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7
(commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the
Government Code.  If the statewide cost of the claim for
reimbursement does not exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000),
reimbursement shall be made from the State Mandates Claims Fund.
